MLB Player News

Madrigal (shoulder) is listed as an available bench bat Monday in the Angels' Cactus League game against the Rangers, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

After missing the entire 2025 season while recovering from February surgery to repair a fractured left shoulder, Madrigal doesn't appear to be facing any restrictions in spring training. He came off the bench to play second base in the Angels' spring opener Saturday against the Dodgers, recording a base hit and a walk in his two plate appearances. Madrigal could also get some exposure to third base in the spring as he looks to display versatility in his bid to win a utility role with the Angels, but he'll still be facing an uphill battle to crack the Opening Day roster.

Junk (ankle) is aiming to throw off the mound by Wednesday or Thursday, Stephen Strom of Marlins Radio Network reports.

Junk suffered a Grade 1 mild right ankle sprain during a drill last week, but he shed his walking boot over the weekend and is nearing a return to the bump. The injury should not prevent Junk from being ready for Opening Day, but it's made his bid for a spot in the Marlins' rotation more difficult.

Burrows pitched two innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League matchup against the Cardinals, allowing no runs on one hit and a walk while striking out two.

It was an encouraging Astros debut for Burrows, who got the start against a St. Louis lineup that featured some projected Opening Day starters. Burrows, who joined Houston via trade in December, is coming off a solid rookie season with the Pirates, where he posted a 3.94 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and 9.1 K/9 across 96 innings. The right-hander is expected to slot into the middle of a new-look Astros' rotation.

Mosqueda will not throw for a couple weeks due to left forearm inflammation, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Mosqueda experienced inflammation in his forearm after a live batting practice session, but exams did not reveal anything serious. He will be unable to participate for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, and a long shot bid to make the Opening Day roster is out the window.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Monday that Simon (shoulder) is projected to return to game competition in late March or early April, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

According to Tomczyk, Simon is "doing very well" four-plus months after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder. The 25-year-old has been taking swings in the batting cage without restrictions so far in camp, and he's set to take another step forward next week, when he's scheduled to face live pitching in batting practice. However, because Simon won't be game-ready until late March, he would appear to be firmly out of the mix for a spot on the Pirates' Opening Day roster.

Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Monday that Jones (elbow) should be ready for game action when he's eligible to return from the 60-day injured list in late May, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

It's not clear whether that means he will be ready to pitch for the Pirates at that point or ready to pitch on a rehab assignment. Jones underwent an internal brace procedure on his right elbow last May and is "coming out really good" following a live batting practice session Friday, per Tomczyk. The 24-year-old made 22 starts for the Pirates in 2024, posting a 4.14 ERA and 132:39 K:BB across 121.2 frames.

Davis went 1-for-1 with a three-run homer, two walks and a second run scored in Sunday's Cactus League matchup versus the Reds.

Davis capped a six-run ninth inning with his three-run shot off right-hander Irvin Machuca, extending Seattle's lead to 14-8. It was a strong day at the plate overall for the 26-year-old Davis, who reached base safely in all three of his at-bats. Still, the one-time top prospect is a long shot to make the Mariners' Opening Day roster, after joining the team as a non-roster invitee in December. However, Davis had a solid 2025 campaign with Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre, posting a .900 OPS with 12 homers across 36 games.

Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Monday that Harbin has been diagnosed with a lat injury and will be shut down from throwing for six weeks before being re-evaluated, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Harbin suffered an injury to his teres major muscle early in camp and won't have the chance to compete for a spot in the Pirates' Opening Day bullpen this spring. The Pirates added the 24-year-old right-hander to the 40-man roster over the winter after he turned in a 4.69 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 92:46 K:BB in 63.1 innings between three minor-league levels in 2025. Expect Harbin to be optioned to minor-league camp in the coming weeks before opening the season on Triple-A Indianapolis' injured list.

Helman (groin/hip) started in left field and went 0-for-1 with a strikeout Sunday in the Rangers' 9-5 win over the Rockies in Cactus League play.

Helman had been scheduled to make his second start of the spring Saturday against the Cubs, but he was scratched from the lineup due to injury. The groin/hip issue was evidently a minor concern, given that the Rangers felt comfortable reinserting him into the lineup a day later. Helman will be competing for a utility job with the Rangers throughout the spring and could be deployed in the short side of a platoon if he ends up making Texas' Opening Day roster.

Brannigan will visit a specialist after suffering multiple injuries to the nasal complex when he was struck by a bad hop Sunday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Brannigan was re-examined by team physicians Monday and the damage appears to be confined to the nose area, but he will examined by a specialist just in case to rule out orbital fractures. The 24-year-old is also coming back from surgery to repair the labrum in his right shoulder, which he had last July. Brannigan should be considered day-to-day for the time being.